Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersJuly 24, 2018

Republican U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan has launched an attack ad against his Democratic election opponent David Shapiro with blistering references to the Sarasota lawyer’s investments in gun companies, opioid drug companies, and companies tied to the Deepwater Horizon off-shore oil disaster. The new 30-second TV commercial, “Two-Faced,” outlines Shapiro’s investments while calling him two-faced and […]

Drew WilsonJuly 20, 2018

A deep-dive into the financial disclosure filed by David Shapiro found some possibly hypocritical investments, particularly for a candidate saying he’ll push for “a full ban on weapons of war.” Shapiro is a leading Democrat in the race for Florida’s 16th Congressional District, challenging incumbent Congressman Vern Buchanan, a Longboat Key Republican. According to Shapiro’s official personal finance report filed with the […]

Drew WilsonJuly 11, 2018

A recently filed financial disclosure shows U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan celebrated passing the House version of the Republican tax bill in quite the lavish way. According to the disclosure, Buchanan spent between $1 million and $5 million purchasing an Ocean Alexander yacht on Nov. 16, 2017, the same day he joined 226 other Republicans and no Democrats in voting for the first draft […]

Drew WilsonJuly 10, 2018

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan has put out a new TV ad in his Sarasota-based district highlighting his “effective and bipartisan record” representing Florida’s 16th Congressional District. The 30-second spot, titled “Effective Leader,” has started airing on cable and local television stations throughout Sarasota, Manatee and Hillsborough counties. “In a town notorious for gridlock and dysfunction, […]

Drew WilsonJuly 5, 2018

Republican U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan raised more than $640,000 over the last three months for his re-election campaign in Florida’s 16th Congressional District. “Vern’s independence and effective record of achievements fighting for seniors, children, veterans and middle-class families are why so many in Southwest Florida are proud to call him their congressman,” said Max Goodman, Buchanan’s […]

Drew WilsonMay 23, 2018

Sarasota Republican U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan is rolling out another TV ad for his re-election campaign in Florida’s 16th Congressional District. The 30-second spot, “Fighting Chance,” highlights the sixth-term congressman’s record on the opioid epidemic. The campaign said it will begin airing online immediately and will hit TV next week as part of $200,000-plus ad […]

Drew WilsonApril 3, 2018

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan’s re-election campaign said Tuesday that its first campaign finance report of 2018 will show $470,000 raised during the first three months of the year. “Vern’s independence and record of bipartisan accomplishments fighting for seniors, children, veterans and middle-class families are why so many in Southwest Florida are proud to call him […]

Scott PowersMarch 8, 2018

Concluding that all the recent special elections and other factors are putting Democrats in a good position, the political assessment service Sabato’s Crystal Ball is pushing its views of the congressional races involving Republican U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan and Democratic U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy in the direction of improving chances for Democrats. In updates of […]

Scott PowersOctober 18, 2017

Sarasota attorney David Shapiro has filed to run for Congress against Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan in Florida’s 16th Congressional District. Shapiro, a Democrat, is a longtime Tampa Bay-area resident who has practiced law in Sarasota for 32 years He previously ran for the Florida House of Representatives in 2006, losing a tight election, […]

Staff ReportsMay 27, 2017

In honor of Memorial Day, Vern Buchanan laid a wreath Friday at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Joining the Sarasota Republican, who represents Florida’s 16th Congressional District, was his wife Sandy. “America must never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their country,’’ Buchanan said. “Our nation owes […]

Tag: Florida’s 16th Congressional District
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

Vern Buchanan ad blasts David Shapiro’s investments in guns, pharma, oil

David Shapiro seeks ‘full ban’ on weapons of war, but invests in ammo makers

Vern Buchanan bought yacht after voting for House version of GOP tax bill

Vern Buchanan touts bipartisan record in new ad

Vern Buchanan’s haul rises, posts $640K for Q2

New ad highlights Vern Buchanan’s record on the opioid epidemic

Vern Buchanan adds $470K for CD 16 re-election

Sabato’s Crystal Ball pushes assessments of CD 7, CD 16 in Democrats’ direction

Sarasota attorney David Shapiro files to run against Vern Buchanan in CD 16

Vern Buchanan honors Memorial Day by laying wreath at Tomb of Unknown Soldier